For Lent – Redefine Womanhood

Forget giving up sweets with the subtle hope of losing the last couple pounds [guilty]. This Lent, explore what it means to be of the dust of Eve.

The following are some creative takes on how to approach the three penitential practices – prayer, fasting and almsgiving – in order to cultivate a sense of true womanhood. Readers, please include any other ideas in the ‘comments’ section! God bless your Lenten journey.

Replace mainstream pop with the music of Catholic artist Danielle Rose. http://www.daniellerose.com/. She has a new CD! Fast from media and entertainment sources that mar the dignity of women, or that contribute to a woman’s negative body image.

Replace time spent reading Vogue or watching The Carrie Diaries with time browsing Catholic women’s websites such as altcatholicah.com and thenewfeminism.net.

Replace time shopping with time making handmade gifts and cards for friends and relatives, to show you care.

Fast from negative self-talk about your value or appearance.

Dress modestly.

Fast from gossip.

Close the chatterbox – take time to listen in your relationships.

Fast from romanticizing married life or religious life, or other peoples’ lives in general. Renew living joyfully; your life is a great romance with the Lord!

Give Alms:

Give some of your free time to busy married friends, especially those with children. Go out of your way to visit, babysit, bring over a meal, help around the house, etc.

Clean out your closet – donate clothes, shoes and accessories to a local women’s shelter.

B. Jane Sloan is a writer and high school theology teacher from Atlanta, GA. In addition to blogging for Catholic Exchange, she has been published in Our Sunday Visitor, Notre Dame Magazine and the literary journal Omnibus.
Jane graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2007 with a B.A. in theology and philosophy. In 2009, she graduated with an M. Ed. from Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education. In 2009 Jane made a 500-mile pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain. She spent summer 2010 as an intern planting vegetables and baking bread at the Abbey of Regina Laudis OSB in Bethlehem, CT. In 2011 she was present among the millions at the beatification of Blessed John Paul II. She is currently working toward her M.A. in Theology. Follow her on Twitter @CE_SundayBrunch. Follow her other blog on all-natural eating at www.thesavagepalate.blogspot.com

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